Sources: Paterson will end campaign

David Paterson will announce today he is suspending his nascent campaign for governor, two sources briefed on the governor’s plans said.

The governor has faced a wave of pressure since a scandal involving one of his closest aides, David Johnson, unfolded Thursday. Paterson suspended Johnson and initiated a probe of his own administration after the New York Times reported that the governor and a State Police officer assigned to his security detail contacted a woman pursuing domestic violence charges against Johnson.

Paterson met with senior party officials Thursday, including Democratic State Chairman Jay Jacobs, and said he was “open” to suspending a campaign he formally kicked off last weekend.

Several prominent Democrats – including two Congressional Representatives and at least three county Democratic leaders – publicly called for the governor to suspend his campaign.

Paterson is in New York City today and has no public schedule, but an announcement – either in person or via a written statement – is expected this afternoon, according to the sources briefed on the governor’s plans.

A probe into the circumstances surrounding Johnson is being conducted by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo would become the presumptive favorite of Democrats to run for governor when Paterson announces he is not seeking election.